Founder & Clinical Director

Elena Katrantzos, LMHC-D, PMH-C

Clinical Director · New York LMHC-D · Telehealth in NY, FL & SC

Elena Katrantzos is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with Diagnostic Privilege (LMHC-D) in New York. She provides telehealth services to clients in New York and Florida and is registered to provide telehealth services to clients in South Carolina. Elena is a PSI certified perinatal mental health specialist (PMH-C).

Elena Katrantzos is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Certified Perinatal Mental Health Professional (PMH-C), and the founder and Clinical Director of EK Mental Health Counseling. She specializes in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety disorders, perinatal mental health concerns, and body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs).

With a strong foundation in evidence-based treatment and advanced specialized training, Elena is particularly passionate about helping individuals navigate OCD and anxiety during pregnancy, postpartum, and other significant life transitions.

In addition to her clinical work, Elena is committed to advancing professional education, increasing awareness of frequently misunderstood mental health conditions, and supporting fellow clinicians in providing effective, evidence-based care.

Clinical Expertise & Specializations

Elena’s areas of specialization include:

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), including intrusive thoughts, harm OCD, relationship OCD, and other complex presentations
• Perinatal and Postpartum OCD
• Perinatal Mental Health, including pregnancy, postpartum adjustment, pregnancy loss, and birth-related trauma
• Anxiety Disorders, including generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorder, and agoraphobia
• Specific Phobias, including emetophobia (fear of vomiting)
• Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs), including trichotillomania (hair pulling) and excoriation disorder (skin picking)
• Grief and Loss
• Trauma and Stress-Related Concerns

Therapeutic Approach

Elena believes that meaningful change begins with understanding not only what we think and feel, but also how we respond to our thoughts, emotions, and fears.

Her approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in evidence-based treatment. She works closely with clients to understand their individual experiences, identify patterns that may be maintaining distress, and develop practical strategies that support lasting change.

Elena integrates specialized therapeutic approaches, including:

• Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD and related anxiety conditions
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Habit Reversal Training (HRT) for body-focused repetitive behaviors
• Mindfulness-Based Interventions

Rather than focusing solely on eliminating uncomfortable thoughts or feelings, Elena helps clients develop a different relationship with anxiety and uncertainty, allowing them to respond to their fears in ways that align with their values and goals.

What to Expect When Working with Elena

Elena strives to create a therapeutic environment where clients feel understood, respected, and comfortable discussing even their most difficult or distressing experiences.

She recognizes that OCD, intrusive thoughts, and anxiety can often leave individuals feeling confused, ashamed, or misunderstood. Her goal is to provide a compassionate, nonjudgmental space where these experiences can be explored openly.

Treatment is individualized, collaborative, and focused on helping clients build confidence in their ability to navigate challenges, reduce unhelpful patterns, and move toward a more meaningful and fulfilling life.

Professional Training & Education

Beyond her clinical practice, Elena is passionate about advancing education and awareness of OCD and perinatal mental health among fellow mental health professionals.

She has co-presented specialized continuing education training through OCD Training School, focusing on the differential diagnosis of perinatal OCD and the clinical challenges associated with identifying and treating these frequently misunderstood presentations.

Featured Professional Training

Differential Diagnosis of Perinatal OCD: Clinical Pitfalls, Misdiagnosis, and Treatment Implications

This training explores the complexities of distinguishing perinatal OCD from other perinatal mental health conditions, including postpartum psychosis, depression, anxiety, and trauma-related disorders. The course examines common diagnostic pitfalls, clinical assessment considerations, and the implications of misdiagnosis for treatment.

View the Training at OCD Training School (opens in a new tab)

Advanced Training & Professional Development

Elena has pursued advanced clinical education and specialized training through several nationally recognized organizations, including:

• International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) – Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI)
• Cognitive Behavioral Institute (CBI)
• OCD Training School
• CBT School
• Seleni Institute – Maternal Mental Health
• Postpartum Support International (PSI)

Elena holds a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from the University of the Southwest and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Phoenix.

She maintains a commitment to ongoing professional development, evidence-based clinical practice, and advancing the understanding and treatment of OCD, anxiety, and perinatal mental health conditions.